Internal-combustion engine.



F. I. RODE. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED A`UG.20, 1914.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I- F. I. RODE. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 APPLICATION FILED AUG.20. 1914.

F. I. RODE. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.20. 191'4. 1,177,809. Patented Apr. 4,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INEM@ l @a W, /y 700 y Zigj FRED J`. RODE, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

Application filed August 20, 1914. Serial No. 857,680.

' To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED J. RODE, a citizen of the United States, residing at'Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to internal combustion engines and the object of my invention is to provide means for preventing premature combustion or back firing.

The several embodiments of my invention hereinafter referred toV are particularly adapted for use in connection with internal combustion engines of large size wherein the great mass of the working pistons requires that the pistons be supported by reciprocating heads disposed outside of the working cylinders and riding on oil films.

It is customary in engines of the class mentioned to pass the ends of the piston rod, or rods, through the heads of the associated cylinder, or cylinders,'and to connect the outer ends of the said piston rods to the reciprocating heads heretofore mentioned. In the operation of engines of the class referred to, the piston rods are invariably displaced or deflected somewhat from their normal line of travel and this displacement of the piston rods necessitates that the packing devices at the points where thepiston rods pass through the cylinder heads becapable of yielding somewhat, with- -`out, however, permitting the escape of fluid at these points inasmuch as this escape of fluid would of course render proper combustion impossible andA thus seriously detract from the ehciency of the engine. I find that often-times during a compression stroke of a working piston and an associated piston rod combustible fluid collects in the recesses of the packing devices. The combustible fluid thus collected in the packing devices if not utilized in its entirety to perform useful work during the next succeeding stroke of the piston leaks out around .the piston rod and continues 'to burnv during the following stroke, or strokes, of the piston and causes premature firing o-f a fresh charge taken into the combustion chamber. Not only is there danger of combustible fluid being forced into the recesses of the packing device, or devices, during a compression stroke of the engine piston and remaining therein until the following intake stroke of` the piston, but there is also an opportunity for burnt gas to pass into the recesses of the packing device, or devices, during the combustion stroke of the piston,

this burnt gas subsequently serving to cause premature firing of a fresh charge.

It is the purpose of my invention to render harmless any gas which accumulates in `the packing devices as described above.

In the following description I refer to a number of devices for attaining the objects of my invention, the several embodiments of my invention hereinafter referred to being illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which, l y

Figure l is a view partly in elevation and lpartly in vertical Sectio-n, illustrating an internal combustion engine comprising tandem cylinders yand provided with devices an engine driven pump forced' into the spaces between the piston rods and'cylinder heads to prevent premature ignition due to the gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing box. Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a form of packing box that may be employed in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. .4. Fig. 6 illustrates apparatus whereby the premature firing of a fresh charge may be prevented in either one of two ways, to-wit: by connecting the recesses of the packing boxes or the spacesbetween the piston rods and associated cylinder heads, or both, with a tank from which the air has been exhausted and thus withdrawing the gases which are apt to cause premature firing, or by connecting the recesses of the packing boxes or the spaces'between the piston rods and associated cylinder heads los.

with a compressed air tank whereby air is Y mixed with the gases collected inthe recesses of the packing boxes to render said gases inert.

be employed inthe arrangement diagramu Fig. 7 is a view similanto Fig. 5v illustrating a form of packing box that may matically illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of my invention wherein the recesses of the packing boxes are at the proper times connected with the atmosphere by engine driven mechanism to render inert the gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing boxes. Fig. v9 illusvtrates an embodiment of my invention wherein exhaust gases from one combustion chamber are utilized to render inert the gases accumulated in the recesses -of the packing box associated with the cylinder head associated with another combustion chamber. Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of my invention wherein the gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing boxes are rendered inert by firing the said gases in the recesses of the packing boxes, and Fig. 11 illustrates an embodiment of my invention wherein a screen prevents flame resulting from the combustion of gases accumulated lin the recesses of the packing box from passing into the associated combustion chamber.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1 it will be seen that I have illustrated an internal combustion engine comprising tandem cylinders 20, 20, crank case 21, crank shaft 22 and flywheel ,23. Interposed between the crank case 21 and the adjacent cylinder 2O is a housing or guideway 24. in which reciprocates a cross-head 25 operatively connected.

by means of a pitman rod 26 with the crank shaft 22. Interposed between the cylinders 20, 2O is a head support or housing 26 and arranged to be reciprocated on an oil film 1n said housing or support is a head 27. At

the left side of the engine (Fig. l) is illustrated a housing or support 28 in which is arranged to be reciprocated on an oil'film a head 29. Disposed in each of the cylinders 20, 2() is a piston 30 which divides the cylinder into two combustion chambers 31, 31, each of said combustion chambers being provided with properly controlled intake and n exhaust chambers illustrated at 32 and 33,

respectively. Attached to each side of each one of the pistons 3() is a rod 34, each of said rods passing through a .packing box 35 carried by the adjacent cylinder head, the end of each of said rods opposite its associated piston being connected to one of the reciprocating heads 25,27 or 29, as is clearly illustrated` in Fig. l. Due to the construction just described the pistons which are of comparatively great mass are carried almost wholly' by the reciprocating heads. s

I do not believe it will be necessary for meto describe the cycle of engine operation inasmuch as the operation of engines of the type illustrated in- Fig. 1 is well known to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates. Due to the mass of the pistons and the relatively great length of the piston vrods the piston rods are displaced or deflected somewhat from their ideal line of travel during the operation of the engine and consequently the packing boxes 35, one of whichl is illustrated in section in Fig. 2, are arranged to permit the piston rods to be so deflected or displaced without, however, permitting the escape of fluid from the combustion chambers of the engine. Each of the packing boxes 35 is retained by any suitable means in a recess formed in the head of the associated cylinder and the packing,

box is provided with a cylindrical bore through which passes a piston rod 34. Atl` ciated piston rod 34 snugly, but are capable of being moved to a certain extent in the grooves or channels 36. A single pair of rings 37, 37 would not etfectually prevent the escape vof fluid from the combustion chamber with which a packing box is 'associated but by providing a series of pairs of rings as illustrated in Fig. 2 the gases are prevented from escaping tothe atmosphere.

It will be noted that a number of pockets are formed between the several ring pairs 'and between the rings and the packing box.

I nd that during the operation of an engine such as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, during the compression stroke of a piston in one of the combustion chambers fluid will collect in the several pockets and recesses formed in the packing box 35 and that this fluid passing out of the recesses in the packing box during the next following intake orl compression stroke of the piston will tend to cause premature firing of the new charge of combustible mixture. In order to prevent premature firing due to .the burning gases passing from the recesses of the packing box j to the comhustionchamber I provide means for rendering inert or non-combustiblev gas accumulated in the recesses of the packing box by mixing pure air with it.

As is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 a plurality of channels 38 are formed in the packing box '35, the outer end of each of` said channels communicatingwith the at-` mosphere and the inner end communicating with a radial channel 39 terminating in the annular spacef between the rod 34 and the packing boxy as yclearly shown iny Fig. 2. Each of the channels 38 is cont-rolled by a valve 40 mounted upon a rod 41 passing through a bore in the packing box Each v nels 38 as set forth premature firing is effecof the valves 40 is normally held' seated by a coiled spring 42 acting between the outer face of the packing box 35 and a Washer fixed upon the rod 41 associated with the valve. Formed in the inner face of the packing box 35 is an annular' recess through which the several valves 40 may be inserted to the positions illustrated in Fig. 2, this lannular channel being closed by an annulus 43 when the several parts are in operative position as illustrated.

In the operation of the engine illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the valves 40 are unseated during the stroke of the associated engine piston Which draws a fresh charge of fuel -intoA the combustion chamber and the cool air coming in through the channels 38 serves to render inert the gases accumulated in the pockets or recesses of the` packing box. I find that by admitting air through the chantually prevented.

The arrangement illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is particularlyl adaptable to standard engines now in use inasmuch as a standard packing box may readily be provided With channels 38 and 39 and the valves controlling the passage of air through said channels.V

The engine diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4 comprises a cylinder 50 Within Which .reciprocates a piston 51 provided with piston rods 52, 52 passing through suitable packing boxes 53, 53 carried by the cylinder heads. One of the packing boxes-53 is'illustrated in cross section in Fig. 5. It will beunderstood that each of the piston rods 52, 52 is provided with supporting cross heads as are the piston rods of the engine shown in Figs. l to 3 inclusive. The engine shown in Fig. 4 also comprises a crank shaft 54 mounted in suitable bearings and connected by a pitman rod 55 with one of the cross heads. The crank shaft 54 is provided with the customary fly-Wheel 56. Each of the packing boxes 53'is provided with a bore 57 affording communication between one of a pair of pipes 58 and the spaces between the i piston rod and the packing box and cylinder head. The pipes 58 are )oined as' most clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 and are led to a suitable pump 59 comprising an intake tube 60. The reciprocating pump element is connected with a cross head 61 connected by a suitable rod with an eccentric mounted upon a shaft 62 provided with a gear 6 3 meshing with a gear 64 fixed uponv the crank shaft 54. The gear ratios are preferably such that during' the llatter part of the,

exhaust stroke and the beginning of the in-V take stroke of. the piston in either direction the pump 59 will operate to inject a smallV quantity of Huid into the bores 57 of the packing boxes`53.- Water is preferably the fluid employed inasmuch as the Water will of thepacking boxes. In case air is injected through the boxes'57 this air will act as does the air permitted to pass through the channels 38 into packing box 35, illustrated in Fig. 2. i

The engine illustrated in Fig. 6 is gener- 75 ally similar to the engine shown in Fig. 4 in so far as the cylinder, piston, piston rods, reciprocating heads, crank shaft and iy-Wheel are concerned. The cylinder shown in Fig.

6 is provided with a pair of packing boxes v88 70, one of Which is shown in Fig. 7. It-Will' be noted that each of the packing boxes is provided with a bore 71 communicating With all of the annular recesses or pockets formed between the packing box and the split pack- 85 ing rings. Each of the bores 71 communilcates with a pipe 72, the pipes 72 being joined and led through a valve 73 to the tank 75. The tank 75 is connected With an air pump 76, which, as Will presently be made apparent, may be either' a compressing pump or an exhausting pump. The'movableelement of the pump 76 is connected through a suitable cross head and rod mech-l anism With an eccentric mounted on the engine crank shaft and the operating arm for the-valve 73 is connected through suitable link and cross head'mechanism with an eccentric mounted on a shaft 77.having fixed thereon a gear 78 meshing with a gear 79 fixed on the crank shaft of the engine. As'- n suming the pump 76 to be a compressingl pump said pump will serve to maintain a pressure greater than atmosphere Within the tank 7 5., The operation of the valve 73 is so timedA with respect to the other parts ofthe engine that said valve will permit air under pressure to flow from tank 75 through the pipes 72 during the end of the exhaust stroke and the beginning of the intake lo .Y

stroke of the piston in Veither direction.l Thel air thus admitted to the pockets of the packing box Will effectually serve to render harmless or inert the gases accumulated in rthe pockets or recesses of the packing box.l

Assuming the pump 76 of the engine shown in Fig. 6 to be an exhausting pump it vvill be understood that ayacuum Will be maintained Within the tank 75 and that each time the valve 7 3 is openedthe gases accumulated 120 in the pockets of the packing box Will be exhausted therefrom into the tank 75.

The engine illustrated in Fig. 8 is generally similar to the engine shown in Fig. 6,

the only' difference being thatthe pump and 125 tank are omitted and that the pipes commu-l nicating with! the recesses of the packing boxes are led to va valve through which communication to the atmospherepis established; It Will be understood, that when the 13 l 'ports' and controlling valves associated therevalve is opened the gases accumulated within the pockets of the packing boxes are rendered incapable of burning and thus Each of the cylinders is provided with a pair of packing boxes similar to the packing box shown in, Fig. 7 and the channel 71 of the packing box associated with either one of the combustion chambers of either cylinder is connected by means of a pipe '85 with the exhaust pipe of the other combustion chamber. It will be seen that during vthe exhaust or scavenging stroke for either combustion chamber gases exhausted from said chamber will be passed through the associated pipe to render inert the gases accumulated in the pockets or recesses of the packing box associated with the other combustion chamber. It will be understood -of course that the pipe 85 communicates with the exhaust pipes at points outside of the valves controlling the exhaust ports.

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated a form of packing box wherein each of the annular pockets or recesses is provided with an individual spark plug 90. It will be understood that said spark .plugs arerconnected with a source of current and timing mechanism so that sparks will be caused to jump the gaps between the spark plug electrodes at the proper times in the engine cycle to ignite the gasaccumulated in the pockets or' recesses of the packing box and to render inert and harmless the gases thus ignited.

In Fig. 11 I have illustrated a Cylinder head atf100 and at 101 is shown a portion of a packing box that may be similar in all respects vto the packing box illustrated in Fig'. 2 with the exception that the fresh air with may be omitted. Carried by the cylinder head and fitting snugly between the periphery of the piston rod 102 passing through the cylinder head and packing box is a gauze screen 103. During the stroke Aof the piston serving to draw a fresh charge into the combustion chamber with which the cylinder head shown in Fig. 11 is associated, the gases accumulated in the pockets or recesses of the packing box 101 will be incapable of igniting the fresh charge inasmuch as the gauze screen will serve to prevent the flame from passing into the Vcombustion chamber. The screen in its action is similar to the gauze screenof the Well known Davy lamp.

Vliile I have illustrated my invention in the particular embodiments herein shown and described, I do not wish to be limited to these particular constructions but desire to claim broadly any equivalent constructions coming within the terms and spirit ofl the appended claims.

IV hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is chamber, a rod connected with the piston passing through the wall of the combustion chamber, a packing device carried at the point where the rod passes through the wall of the combustion chamber and means for rendering gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing device incapable of preman turely igniting a fresh charge of combustible mixture subsequently taken into the combustion chamber.

3. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination a combustion chamber, a piston operating in the combustion chamber, i a rod connected with the piston passing tl'lrough the wall of the combustion chamber, a packing device carried by the wall at the point where the piston rod passes therethrough, and means for diluting combustiblcgas accumulated in the recesses of the packing device to` prevent said combustible gas from subsequently igniting a fresh charge of combustible mixture taken into the combustion chamber.

l 4. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination a combustion chamber, a piston operating' in the Vcombus.

tion chamber, a piston rod connected with the piston, a packing .de-vice carried at the point where the piston rod passes through the wall of the combustion chamber, and means for mixing air With combustible gas accumulated in the recesses of the packing device to prevent said combustible gas from subsequently igniting a fresh charge of combustible mixture taken into the combustion chamber.

5. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination a combustion chamber, a piston operating in the combustion chamber, a piston rod connected with the piston, a packing device carried at the point where the piston rod passes through the wall of the combustion chamber and means for mixing anl inert gas with the combustible` gas accumulated in the recesses of the packing device.

lao

6. An internal combustion engine comprislng 1n comblnatlon a combustlon chamber, a piston operating in the combustionV chamber, a piston rod extending through the Wall of the combustion chamber, a packing device carried at the point Where the piston rod passes through the wall of the combustion chamber and means for rendering inert combustible gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing device by mixing therewith a non-combustible material.

7. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination a combustion chamber, a piston operating in the combustion chamber, a piston rod passing through the wall of the combustion chamber, a packing device carried at the point Where the piston rod passes through the Wall of the combustion chamber and means for establishing communication between the recesses of the packing device and the atmosphere at a predetermined time in the engine cycle.

8. -An internal combustion engine coniprising in combination a combustion chamber,r a piston operating in the combustion chamber, reciprocating heads outside the combustion chamber at each end thereof, rods-passing through the Wall of the combustionchamber connecting the piston With said heads, packing devices permittin said piston rods to be displaced slighty in planes'normal to their axes and means for rendering inert the combustible gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing devices.

9. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination a combustion cham-l ber, a piston operating in the combustion chamber, reciprocating heads outside the combustion chamber at each end thereof, rods passing through the Wall of the combustion chamber connecting the piston with said heads, packing devices permitting said piston rods to be displaced slightly in planes normal to their axes and means fordmixin'g an inert material withA the gases accumulated in the recesses of the `ng lnert combustible gases accumulated in the pockets of the packing device to prevent said gas from permaturely igniting a fresh charge of combustible mixture taken into the combustion chamber.

1l. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination a combustion chamber, a rod passing through the Wall of the combustion chamber, a packing device carried at the point Where the rod passes through said Wall and means for rendering inert gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing device.

12. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination a combustion chamber, a rod passing through'the Wall of the combustion chamber, a packing device carried at, the point -Where the rod passes through said Wall and means for diluting gases accumulated in the recesses of the packing device to render said gases in Witnesses CHAS. BOLL, F. H. BUKER.

-my name this 17th day of August A. D.

FRED J. RODE. 

